Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

True Christmas Spirit
December 19, 2008 - For 24 years the spirit of Christmas has come alive in Prince George's County. Especially during the annual holiday food basket program.

Workers First
December 17, 2008 - For 120 years the IAM has been protecting workers. This week at the Center for American Progress in Washington DC, the idea of putting workers first took the spotlight.

NWA/Delta Merger: December 08 Update
December 11, 2008 - Whether you are for or against it, the merger between Northwest and Delta Airlines is happening.

N.C. Machinists - Obama's Team Wants Change
December 9, 2008 - Striking members of IAM LL W369 in North Carolina were in Washington, DC to attend a forum on Community, Faith, & Democracy.

A Green Recovery
December 5, 2008 - For some, it's hard to think about a greener tomorrow when families are having to choose today between paying the mortgage or putting food on the table. But many people believe that investing in a green recovery may help to solve America's current economic crisis.

Guide Dogs Diamond Anniversary
November 26, 2008 - The Guide Dogs of America celeberated its 60th Diamond Anniversary in Las Vegas last week.

The Face of Foreclosure
October 21, 2008 - As lawmakers work to find a solution to the US foreclosure crisis, thousands of working class Americans, including some IAM members, struggle to keep homes in the midst of this economic downturn.

NWA/Delta Merger: A Future Bailout?
October 15, 2008 - In one of the most volatile financial times in history, it seems wrong to many that a possible airline merger is still being considered.

A Fresh Look At Healthcare
October 12, 2008 - With the presidential election just weeks away, Americans are taking a serious look at the issues. As always healthcare is close to the top of the priority list.

Retirees Take On Raytheon
September 26, 2008 - After 26 years, IAM member Dave Lillie retired from Raytheon. At the end of his more than two decades as a tool and die maker, he believed retirement would be bliss. Raytheon saw it another way.

Closing Day for the 37th ConventionSeptember 12, 2008 - Welcome to the closing day for the IAM's 37th Grand Lodge Convention. It's been a busy week but alot has been accomplished.

Freedom Of ReligionSeptember 11, 2008 - No matter how, when or why you do it, every person in the U.S. and Canada has the right to Freedom. "Freedom of Religion" was the theme on the fifth day of the 37th Grand Lodge Convention.

Freedom From Want
September 10, 2008
Freedom from want is another one of the four freedoms Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke about more than 60 years ago. "Freedom From Want" was the theme on the fourth day of the 37th Grand Lodge Convention.

New Dues Structure
September 10, 2008
More than 32 years ago, union delegates gathered in a room like this, changed the financial structure of the IAM. Today, that decision was again in front of this year's delegaes who voted o amend the current financial structure.

HRC Becomes Honorary IAM Member
September 8, 2008 - Nothing seems to bring the Machinists to their feet like Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. She spoke at the the 37th Grand Lodge Convention where she became an honorary lifetime member of the IAM.

Freedom From Fear
September 8, 2008 - In some of the most famous words ever spoken, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." "Freedom From Fear" was the theme on the second day of the 37th Grand Lodge Convention.

Opening Day for the 37th Convention
September 7, 2008 - Today the IAM opened its 37th Grand Lodge Convention. This week promises a nod to the past as we look for solutions to the problems of the future.

Legally Protecting Our Green Jobs
August 28, 2008 - US manufacturing has lost millions of jobs due to outsourcing. But can you keep that from happening? Some labor advocates are ready for a radical pro manufacturing political agenda, and they want it applied to America’s next economic craze, “Green” energy.

A Plan For Greatness
August 13, 2008 - For years the Machinists have told anyone who would listen that this country's in trouble. Unfortunately, many times these warnings fell on deaf ears.

Spirit Aerosystems: A Conversation With IP Tom Buffenbarger
July 2, 2008 -
IP Tom Buffenbarger discusses unique wage negotiations at Spirit Aerosystems.

Hawker Beechcraft: A Conversation With IP Tom Buffenbarger
July 2, 2008 -
IP Tom Buffenbarger discusses the latest developments at Hawker Beechcraft.

IAM College Graduating Class of '08
July 2, 2008 -
Last weekend 11 Machinists graduated from the National Labor College in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Media Library
IAMpodcast

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Vought Threatens Tennessee Strikers

With less than a week before federally supervised negotiations are set to resume, Vought Aircraft Industries in Nashville, TN, took a page from the union-busters handbook and threatened to permanently replace any union member who refused to cross picket lines. The strike by nearly 1,000 members of IAM Local 735 was triggered when Vought proposed to eliminate the existing pension plan for employees with less than 16 years seniority and replace it with an inferior 401k savings plan.

The attempt by Vought to intimidate workers who have held the line for nearly 14 weeks was met with an immediate response by Local 735 Negotiating Committee, who reminded members that the company’s announcement did nothing to change their obligation to meet and bargain in good faith. “We are prepared to remain at the bargaining table for as long as it takes to secure a contract that can be presented for a ratification vote by the members,” said the committee in a letter commending the members for their support and urging continued solidarity. “We went out together and we must stay strong ‘till we can all go back together.”

During the negotiations that preceded the strike, IAM representatives proposed a multiemployer pension plan that would have eliminated the risk of the company’s single-employer plan and saved Vought a minimum of $116,000 per year. Vought refused to consider the proposal, insisting on the 401k savings plan even after the stock market meltdown gathered momentum, stripping billions from 401k retirement funds.

In subsequent bargaining sessions, Vought introduced additional takeaways, including extensive subcontracting while refusing to address the issue that triggered the strike.

“A defined benefit pension is a solemn and long-term promise, one than cannot be broken or revoked except in the most extreme circumstances,” said Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez. “Extreme greed is not one of those circumstances and I commend the members of Local 735 for refusing to bend to this unnecessary and unconscionable demand by Vought.”

Help Redesign IAM Website

It’s a new year and time for an upgrade to the successful IAM website, www.GOiam.org. IAM members can participate in redesigning the new site by voicing their ideas and opinions by filling out the GOiam Visitor Survey.

Since the last re-design in 2005, GoIAM.org has grown to more than 10,000 pages of content, more than doubled the number of visitors to the site and tripled the number of videos viewed.

“Technology is ever changing on the internet and we want to make sure the IAM stays on the cutting edge,” said IAM Communications Director Rick Sloan. “IAM members can help us create a better site by filling out the survey that will let us know how members use the internet what features they use most.”

One Railroad, Four Organizing Victories

The IAM Transportation Department closed out 2008 by adding 40 new members through successful organizing campaigns for Maintenance of Way, Shop Mechanic, Office & Clerical and Operating Employees (engineers and conductors) at the South Central Florida Express railroad.

“These victories were the result of coordinated efforts between organizers from the Transportation Department’s District 19, the IAM Southern Territory and a dedicated in-house organizing team,” said Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr. “This railroad is growing, and these victories ensure good-paying IAM jobs will grow with it.”

U.S. Sugar operates the South Central Florida Express, the largest private agricultural railroad in the country. U.S. Sugar is the only sugar company in the continental U.S. that transports all its cane by railroad to its mills.

Organizing employees under the Railway Labor Act requires separate elections for each class and craft. The IAM won all four elections in late December. The new IAM members at South Central Florida Express are part of the Transportation Department’s Railroad District 19. More information is available at www.iamdl19.org.

St. Louis Machinists Authorize Strike at GKN

More than 99.2 percent of the Machinists employed at GKN in Hazelwood, MO, voted to give their Bargaining Committee the authority to strike if a fair and equitable contract could not be reached by January 11, 2009.

“We have a long way to go if we are to avoid a strike in January,” said District 837 President and Chief Negotiator Gordon King at a meeting with members. “The company admits there are problems in the plant and wants to work with us to avoid a work stoppage, but they have not addressed all your needs yet. Their position on healthcare costs needs to be improved, their position on pension benefits needs to improve, their position on wages needs to improve, and their position on how we can move forward together needs to improve.”

The membership indicated their displeasure at the company’s proposal on a non-standard work week. At stake are the working hours of the men and women fabricating, machining, and assembling thousands of high technology components that are used in our nation’s military aircraft. The 936 members of the Machinist Union made it clear they will not accept a change in working hours that would destroy their personal lives.

The next step in the process will come on January 11, 2009 when the membership meets to review the company’s final offer and vote to accept or reject that offer.

Union Members Featured on Sportsmen Series

It’s no secret that hunting and fishing are popular among North America’s union members. Now you can join in the fun with the new season of “Escape to the Wild” television show that takes union members on the hunting or fishing trip of a lifetime. Entering its third season, "Escape to the Wild" airs on Sundays at 9:30 am EST on the VERSUS Country network.

This year’s “Escape to the Wild” series will feature ten winners who will venture to some of the world’s hottest hunting and fishing spots, including a trip to Argentina to hunt majestic red stag, joining professional bass angler Byron Velvick for world-class Texas bass fishing, trekking to Canada’s expansive tundra to hunt caribou and hunting upland bird at a top-notch lodge.

The popular series honors union members with expenses-paid trips to world-class hunting and fishing destinations and raises awareness about the need to conserve hunting and fishing areas. It is sponsored by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP), many of North America’s leading trade unions, contractor associations and VERSUS Country network. Go to www.versuscountry.com for schedule information and show times.

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2008 IAM Newsletter & Website Contest Awards
Newsletter Award entries are judged on Layout & Design, Best Feature and General Excellence. Local lodges and Districts are judged separately.

The goal of the USA is to create an outdoor hunting and fishing club exclusively for union members and their families. TRCP Launches Union Sportsmen’s Alliance

IAM members can now purchase union gear online at the IAM Store.

IAM Journal
Fall 2008

During the days of the Republican-controlled Congress, GOP-insiders replaced the open debating and crafting of legislation with midnight votes and backroom deals.

The 2008 Convention website is online. The site features updates, travel tips, convention news reports, info for the media, and official convention gear. Check it out.

IAM Member Benefits mean money-saving discounts for IAM members and their families.

Your union source for Sharp® and Océ® copiers, high-speed duplicating and archiving equipment, fax machines and Hasler® postage equipment, along with over 35,000 items you can order online.

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Enter member ID PS16626766 when ordering online or call 1-877-289-9437. When ordering, you must reference code: PS16626766 to receive your union discount.

See who works for you, how the IAM is structured, and what services the IAM offers.
Go to: IAM2007

Read the International Metalworkers' Federation magazine 'Metal World'

FlatRateTech is an organization “created for and by Ford and Lincoln Mercury service technicians solely to speak as one loud voice rather than 50,000 smaller voices.” according to their website The fast-growing site offers forums for Ford customers, technicians and dealers to exchange information.

IAM
Executive Council

Tom Buffenbarger
International President

Warren L. Mart
Secretary-Treasurer

Lee Pearson
GVP Western Territory

Dave Ritchie
GVP Canada

Robert Roach,Jr.
GVP Transportation

Lynn Tucker
GVP Eastern Territory

Robert Martinez
GVP Southern Territory

Richard Michalski
GVP Headquarters

Philip J. Gruber
GVP Midwest Territory